After more than a decade away, one of the White Lake Area’s favorite summer events is making a return. This festival, which began in 1981, has not happened since 2012, and we’re excited to bring it back!

Running from August 6–8, 2026, this three-day celebration will honor the area’s strong maritime ties, while creating new memories for families, friends, and visitors alike. 

The White Lake Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau will continue to organize this festival alongside the support and participation of many local businesses and organizations. We are excited to bring that same spirit of collaboration back to this festival! 

Thursday, August 6:

• 5:00-8:00pm—White Lake Community Picnic in Goodrich Park
  Food available for purchase ($3 Hot Dog Meal–includes chips & water, $5 Two Hot Dog Meal–includes chips & water), with all proceeds to benefit Jim “The Shark” Dreyer’s America 250 Memorial.
• 10:00am-5:00pm—Maritime Days at the White River Light Station–Free Admission

Friday, August 7:

• 10:00am-5:00pm—Maritime Days at the White River Light Station–Free Admission
• 11:00am-3:00pm—Kids Activities hosted by the Montague Branch (Muskegon Area District Library) in Goodrich Park
• 4:00-6:00pm—Water Wonderland Reception at Arts Council of White Lake–Nuveen Center
• 5:00-11:00pm— Evening—Live music, food vendors, and beer tent in Goodrich Park
  7:00-11:00pm Saved by the Band
  $5 cover charge to get into the Music & Beer Tent, drink tickets available to purchase inside

Saturday, August 8:

• 9:00-11:00am—Run White Lake 5K hosted by White Lake Nutrition along Hart-Montague bike trail
• 10:00am—Captain’s meeting in the Maritime tent for White Lake Sail Boat Regatta, 12:00pm race start
• 10:00am-4:00pm—Wooden Boat Show hosted by White Lake Association, at White Lake Municipal Marina
• 10:00am-5:00pm—Maritime Days at the White River Light Station–Free Admission
• 11:00am-3:00pm—Kids Activities hosted by Arts Council of White Lake–Nuveen Center and White Lake Community Library at the Montague Artisan Market
• 1:00-3:00pm—Float-A-Palooza hosted by White Lake Snow Farmers
• 5:00-11:00pm—Evening—Live music, food vendors, and beer tent in Goodrich Park
  6:00-8:00pm Tommy Foster, 8:00-11:00pm The Edukators
  $5 cover charge to get into the Music & Beer Tent, drink tickets available to purchase inside
  
• During the Saturday evening festivities, Jim “The Shark” Dreyer will be arriving after his 22-mile swim while towing 250 cannonballs to help build a new combat veteran memorial. Click here for his live tracker. 

Sunday, August 9: (Post-Festival Festivities)

• 8:00am—Post-Maritime White Lake Fit hosted by White Lake Nutrition at the Viking Athletic Center
• 11:00am-2:00pm—Bacon, Bloodys, and Brews hosted by Montague-Whitehall Rotary Club at North Grove Brewers

Thank you to our sponsors!

Event Sponsor: HarborLight Credit Union
Gold Sponsors: Shelby State Bank and Shoreline Restoration & Construction
Silver Sponsors: Hilite International
Legacy of Caring, Residential Assisted Living
Linamar Montague
Manpower
Redi Rental
Bronze Sponsors: Diebold Insurance Agency
Scheid Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
White Lake Beacon
Promotional Sponsors: ATA National Title Group
Complete Restoration & Cleaning Services
Lighthouse Title Agency—White Lake, LLC
MasterTag
Site Operations Sponsor: WinBerg Construction